Police: Crime up around Occupy Portland

Surge includes break-ins, criminal mischief

Portland police say crime is up significantly in the patrol districts around Occupy Portland.

According to statistics released by the police Tuesday, crime is up 18 percent around the downtown protest camp from Oct. 6 to Nov. 6 compared to the same period last year.

Protesters set up the camp in Chapman and Lownsdale scales on Oct. 6 after a downtown march to protest corporate greed.

The downtown area has experienced a rash of burglaries, assaults and other crimes in recent weeks. They include break-ins at several bike shops. In addition, $4,000 were stolen from the nearby Outdoor Store on Monday.

On Tuesday alone, Central Precinct officers arrested three people and recovered a stolen bicycle at the camp. Two other people were arrested for drinking in public. Another person was arrested for Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree after he damaged a marked Gresham police car by smashing out a window with a hammer. The patrol car was parked on Southwest 3rd Avenue, next to Chapman Square.

Officers also recovered another stolen bicycle in the encampment. It was stolen from Performance Bicycle.

Mayor Sam Adams has allowed the camp to continue, despite city policies against public camping. He says the protesters' free speech right should be respected. Adams has called on protesters to reduce the problems in the camp, however.